GENDER DIFFERENCES IN ATTITUDES TOWARD MATHEMATICS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE-STUDENTS - THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES

Differences associated with gender in perceptions and attitudes toward mathematics were investigated in a sample of 132 undergraduates. The Mathematics Attitude Questionnaire was administered to 64 male and 68 female college students recruited from general required courses. On three factor scores the college students were compared. The men showed more interest in mathematics and were more likely than the women to enroll in mathematics courses. These findings suggest that women's attitudes and perceptions toward mathematics are less positive than those of men. The influences of environmental variables on college students' attitudes toward mathematics were also discussed.